Vehicle child safety seat

ABSTRACT

Vehicle child safety seat including: a seat main body on which an occupant sits; a seat belt for restraining the occupant to the seat main body, the seat belt including a shoulder harness having a belt shape and facing a shoulder of the occupant; a harness cover formed in an elongated pouch shape and slidably attached to the shoulder harness in a longitudinal direction such that the shoulder harness is passed through paired insertion holes formed on respective end portions of the harness cover in the longitudinal direction; and a shoulder pad formed in an elongated shape, accommodated in the harness cover, placed between the shoulder and the shoulder harness along the longitudinal direction of the shoulder harness, and including paired connection portions provided on respective end portions of the shoulder pad in the longitudinal direction so as to be connected to the shoulder harness slidably in the longitudinal direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle child safety seat in which a shoulderpad is attached to a seat belt.

2. Description of Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-276559 (JP2003-276559A) describes a shoulder pad for a seat belt provided in a vehicle childsafety seat. The shoulder pad includes a body portion positioned below ashoulder strap (shoulder harness) so as to abut against a shoulder of achild occupant, a tether strap for attachment to a seat back, and abiforked yoke for connecting the body portion to the tether strap. Theshoulder harness is passed through the biforked yoke, and the tetherstrap extends above the shoulder harness toward a rear side of the seat.Further, the shoulder pad is partially enclosed by a fabric cover.

The, shoulder pad is configured such that, in the event of an accident,a friction-increasing surface provided in the body portion is engagedwith the shoulder harness. This increases a frictional resistance to theshoulder harness, thereby limiting a forward movement, of the child.Further, the shoulder pad is configured such that the fabric coverpartially covering the shoulder pad prevents the shoulder pad from beingdisplaced in a lateral direction (displaced in a width direction) withrespect to the shoulder harness.

From the description of JP2003-276559 A, it is not apparent whether theshoulder pad is integrated with the fabric cover or not. However, atleast a weak fabric cover may not be able to sufficiently restraindisplacement of the shoulder pad in the width direction with respect tothe shoulder harness. When the shoulder pad is displaced in the widthdirection with respect to the shoulder harness, a function of theshoulder pad may not be demonstrated sufficiently. On that account,there is room to improve this point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a vehicle child safety seat that is able toeffectively restrain displacement of a shoulder pad in a width directionwith respect to a shoulder harness, regardless of whether or not theshoulder pad is integrated with a harness cover.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle child safety seat.The vehicle child safety seat includes: a seat main body on which anoccupant sits; a seat belt for restraining the occupant to the seat mainbody, the seat belt including a shoulder harness having a long beltshape and facing a shoulder of the occupant; a harness cover formed inan elongated pouch shape and slidably attached to the shoulder harnessin a longitudinal direction such that the shoulder harness is passedthrough paired insertion holes formed on respective end portions of theharness cover in the longitudinal direction; and a shoulder pad formedin an elongated shape, accommodated in the harness cover, placed betweenthe shoulder of the occupant and the shoulder harness along thelongitudinal direction of the shoulder harness, and including pairedconnection portions provided on respective end portions of the shoulderpad in the longitudinal direction so as to connected to the shoulderharness slidably in the longitudinal direction.

In the above aspect, the paired insertion holes are formed in therespective) end portions of the harness cover in the longitudinaldirection which harness cover is formed in an elongated pouch shape. Theshoulder harness is passed through these insertion holes. Hereby, theharness cover is attached to the shoulder harness slidably in thelongitudinal direction. The shoulder pad formed in an elongated shape isaccommodated inside the harness cover. Further, the paired connectionportions provided on respective end portions of the shoulder pad in thelongitudinal direction are connected to the shoulder harness slidably inthe longitudinal direction. Thus, the shoulder pad is connected to theshoulder harness at the respective end portions of the shoulder pad inthe longitudinal direction, separately from the harness cover. Hereby,regardless of whether or not the shoulder pad is integrated with theharness cover, it is possible to effectively restrain displacement ofthe shoulder pad in the width direction with respect to the shoulderharness. Further, both of the harness cover and the shoulder pad areslidable relative to the shoulder harness in the longitudinal direction.This makes it possible to easily adjust positions of the harness coverand the shoulder pad relative to the shoulder of the occupant.

In the above aspect, the shoulder pad may include: a hold member formedof a material having a flexibility, and including a tabular portionformed in an elongated plate shape and a plurality of hold portionsprovided on a shoulder-harness-side surface of the tabular portion so asto be placed side by side at intervals therebetween in a longitudinaldirection of the tabular portion; and a plurality of hard members eachformed of a material that is harder than the hold member, the pluralityof hard members being respectively held by the plurality of holdportions, and the connection portions may be provided respectively inpaired hard members placed on respective end portions of the tabularpotion in the longitudinal direction.

In the above aspect, the shoulder pad placed between the shoulder of theoccupant and the shoulder harness includes the hold member and theplurality of hard members. The hold member includes the tabular portionhaving an elongated plate shape. The plurality of hard members is heldby the plurality of hold portions provided on the shoulder-harness-sidesurface of the tabular portion. Among these hard members, the pairedhard members placed on respective end portions of the tabular potion inthe longitudinal direction are respectively provided with the connectionportions. The connection portions are slidably connected to the shoulderharness.

In the above aspect, the tabular portion of the hold member is placedbetween the plurality of hard members and the shoulder of the occupant.This makes it possible to inhibit the occupant from feelinguncomfortable due to rough texture of the plurality of hard members.Besides, the hold member is formed of a material having a flexibility.This allows those parts of the tabular portion which are placed betweenthe plurality of hard members to function as hinges. This accordinglyallows the tabular portion to fit the shoulder of the occupantsuccessfully. As a result, it is possible to ensure comfortability tothe occupant. Further, at the time of a vehicle crash, it is possible tosupport a load from the shoulder of the occupant successfully by theplurality of hard members placed between the shoulder harness and thetabular portion. This makes it possible to achieve a successful occupantrestraint performance. Further, the plurality of hard members makescontact with the shoulder harness. This makes it possible to reduce asliding resistance (frictional resistance) caused when the shoulder padslides over the shoulder harness. Further, by modifying the material andthe shape of the plurality of hard members appropriately, it is possibleto easily set and change an energy absorption property.

In the above aspect, each of the connection portions may include aninner guide portion facing an occupant-side surface of the shoulderharness, and an outer guide portion facing that surface of the shoulderharness which is an opposite side to the occupant, and the outer guideportion may be deviated toward a center of the tabular portion in thelongitudinal direction relative to the inner guide portion.

In the above aspect, the connection portions of the shoulder pad eachinclude the inner guide portion and the outer guide portion. The innerguide portion faces the occupant-side surface of the shoulder harness,and the outer guide portion faces that surface of the shoulder harnesswhich is an opposite side to the occupant. That is, the shoulder harnessis slidably passed through between the inner guide portion and the outerguide portion. This allows the shoulder pad to be connected to theshoulder harness) successfully. Besides, a Counter-occupant-side guideis deviated toward the center of the tabular portion of the hold memberin the longitudinal direction relative to an occupant-side guide. Thismakes it possible to reduce a sliding resistance caused when theshoulder pad slides over the shoulder harness.

In the above aspect, the outer guide portion may be constituted bypaired guide claws separated from each other in a width direction of theshoulder harness.

In the above aspect, the outer guide portion provided in the connectionportion of the shoulder pad and facing that surface of the shoulderharness which is an opposite side to the occupant is constituted by thepaired guide claws separated from each other in the width direction ofthe shoulder harness. Hereby, when the shoulder harness is connected tothe connection portion of the shoulder pad, an intermediate part of theshoulder harness in the longitudinal direction is able to be insertedbetween the paired guide claws. Accordingly, it is possible to easilyperform a connection operation (attachment and removal operations of theshoulder pad).

In the above aspect, the inner guide portion may be provided with aguide surface inclined or curved so that its projection height from thetabular portion is decreased as the guide surface goes toward a centerof the hold member in the longitudinal direction.

In the above aspect, the inner guide portion provided in the connectionportion of the shoulder pad is provided with the guide surface inclinedor curved so that its projection height from the tabular portion isdecreased as the guide surface goes toward the center of the hold memberin the longitudinal direction, that is, toward a side where the outerguide portion is deviated. The guide surface makes slide contact withthe shoulder harness passed through between the inner guide portion andthe outer guide portion. This makes it possible to effectively decreasea sliding resistance of the shoulder pad with respect to the shoulderharness.

In the above aspect, the harness cover may be provided with windowportions via which connection states of the shoulder harness withrespect to the connection portions are observed.

In the above aspect, it is possible to observe the connection states ofthe shoulder harness with respect to the connection portions of theshoulder pad accommodated in the harness cover, via the window portionsof the harness cover. This makes it possible to easily check whether ornot the shoulder pad is connected to the shoulder harness appropriately.

In the above aspect, the connection′ portions may have a color differentfrom that of the shoulder harness.

In the above aspect, the connection portions of the shoulder pad have acolor different from that of the shoulder harness connected to theconnection portions. Hereby, it is possible to easily observe theconnection states of the shoulder harness with respect to the connectionportions, via the window portions of the harness cover.

In the above aspect, the window portions may be the insertion holes.

In the above aspect, the insertion holes, in the harness cover, throughwhich the shoulder harness is passed are provided as the window portionsvia which the connection states of the shoulder harness with respect tothe connection portions of the shoulder pad are observed. Thus, sincethe insertion holes doubles as the window portions, it is possible tosimplify the configuration of the harness cover.

In the above aspect, the inner guide portion may have paired side wallsextended in a rib shape from respective end portions of the inner guideportion.

In the above aspect, each of the side walls may have an engaging portionto be fitted to its corresponding hold portion, the engaging portionbeing projecting from that surface of the each of the side walls whichis an opposite side to the inner guide portion.

In the above aspect, a distance between the tabular portion and acontact face, to the shoulder harness, of a hard member placed betweenthe paired hard members respectively provided with the connectionportions may be larger than a distance between the tabular portion and acontact face of the outer guide portion to the shoulder harness.

In the above aspect, the harness cover may be provided with windowportions via which connection states of the shoulder harness withrespect to the connection portions are observed, and each of the windowportions may be formed at a position faced its corresponding pairedguide claws.

In the above aspect, each of the window portions may be formed at aposition faced a position where its corresponding paired guide claws areseparated from each other.

As discussed above, according to the first aspect of the invention, itis possible to effectively restrain displacement of the shoulder padwith respect to the shoulder harness in the width direction, regardlessof whether or not the shoulder pad is integrated with the harness cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denotelike elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a vehicle childsafety seat is attached to a vehicle seat, when viewed from a diagonalfront side;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle child safety seat according toan embodiment of the invention, when viewed from a diagonal rear side;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a partial configuration of thevehicle child safety seat according to the embodiment of the invention,and illustrating a state where an occupant is restrained by a seat beltof the vehicle child safety seat, when viewed from a seat-widthdirection;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a harness cover included inthe vehicle child safety seat according to the embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the harness cover according tothe embodiment of the invention and a shoulder pad accommodated in theharness cover;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the shoulder pad according tothe embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the shoulder pad according tothe embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hold member, which is a constituentmember of the shoulder pad according to the embodiment of the invention,when viewed from a back side thereof;

FIG. 9 is an expanded sectional view illustrating a configuration arounda connection portion of a shoulder harness in the shoulder pad accordingto the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view to describe how to attach, to the shoulderharness, the harness cover that accommodates therein the shoulder padaccording to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state where theshoulder harness is passed through an insertion hole of the harnesscover according to the embodiment of the invention and paired guidingclaws of the shoulder pad are engaged with the shoulder harness;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view to describe a state at the time when theshoulder pad is put in and out from the harness cover attached to theshoulder harness according to the embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 9 and illustratinganother example of a shoulder pad in the embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes a vehicle child safety seat 10 according to anembodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. Note thatan arrow FR shown in each drawing appropriately indicates a vehiclefront direction, and an arrow UP indicates a vehicle upper direction,and an arrow W indicates a vehicle width direction.

(Overall Configuration)

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle child safety seat 10according to the present embodiment includes a seat main body 12. Theseat main body 12 is provided with a seat belt 14, and paired right andleft harness covers 16 are attached to the seat belt 14. Respectiveshoulder pads 18 (see FIG. 3) are accommodated inside harness) covers16. The following describes each constituent.

(Configuration of Seat Main Body 12)

The seat main body 12 includes a seat cushion 20 on which a baby orinfant occupant P (see FIG. 3) sits, and a seat back 22 serving as abackrest for the occupant P. The seat main body 12 is fixed to a vehicleseat 26 via a base 24 (see FIG. 1) in accordance with ISOFIX, which isan international standard correspondence. Note that how to fix the seatmain body 12 is not limited to the above. The seat main body 12 may beconfigured so as to be fixed to the vehicle seat 26 by means of a seatbelt provided in a vehicle or the vehicle seat 26.

(Configuration of Seat Belt 14)

The seat belt 14 is intended to restrain the occupant P to the seat mainbody 12, and includes a crotch strap 28 and paired right and leftshoulder harnesses 30 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The crotch strap 28 andthe right and left shoulder harnesses 30 are formed in a long beltshape. One end portion of the crotch strap 28 in its longitudinaldirection is fixed to a vicinity of a central part of the seat cushion20, and a buckle 32 is fixed to the other end portion of the crotchstrap 28 in the longitudinal direction.

One end portion of the left shoulder harness 30 in its longitudinaldirection is fixed to a rear end portion of the seat cushion 20 on itsleft side. One end portion of the right shoulder harness 30 in itslongitudinal direction is fixed to a rear end portion of the seatcushion 20 on its right side. Further, the other ends of the right andleft shoulder harnesses 30 in the longitudinal direction are passedthrough paired right and left slots 34 (shoulder-harness through holes)formed in the seat back 22, and are drawn out to a back-face side of theseat back 22. A plurality of pairs (three pairs herein) of right andleft slots 34 is formed side by side in a height direction of the seatback 22, so that the shoulder harnesses 30 are passed throughappropriate slots 34 in accordance with a sitting height of the occupantP.

At illustrated in FIG. 2, respective latching portions 30A are providedin those other end portions of the right and left shoulder harnesses 30in the longitudinal direction which are drawn out to the back-face sideof the seat back 22. The respective latching portions 30A are formed ina loop shape such that the other end portions of the right and leftshoulder harnesses 30 in the longitudinal direction are folded and sewn.The latching portions 30A are removably latched to a hanger 36, which isa substantially T-shaped latching metal fitting provided on theback-face side of the seat back 22. One end portion of a harnessadjuster 38 in its longitudinal direction, which harness adjuster 38 isan adjusting belt, is fixed to the hanger 36. The harness adjuster 38extends to a bottom side of the seat cushion 20. The other end portionof the harness adjuster 38 in the longitudinal direction is drawn out toa front-face side of the seat cushion 20 (see FIG. 1).

Respective tang plates 40 are slidably attached to intermediate parts ofthe right and left shoulder harnesses 30 in the longitudinal direction,on a front-face side of the seat back 22. When the occupant P sitting onthe seat main body 12 puts on the seat belt 14, the right and leftshoulder harnesses 30 are put around right and left shoulders S (seeFIG. 3), and the right and left tang plates 40 are combined andconnected to the buckle 32. When the harness adjuster 38 is subsequentlypulled toward a front side of the seat cushion 20, those other endportions of the right and left shoulder harnesses 30 in the longitudinaldirection which are latched to the hanger 36 are pulled downward. As aresult, slack of the intermediate parts in the longitudinal direction ofthe right and left shoulder harnesses 30 is removed. Hereby, theoccupant P is in a seat belt fitting state. In this fitting state, theright and left shoulder harnesses 30 face the right and left shoulder Sof the occupant P (see FIG. 3).

(Configuration of Harness Cover 16)

The right and left harness covers 16 are each formed such that a sheetmaterial (a fabric material 46 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5) having aflexibility is sewn, and are attached to the right and left shoulderharnesses 30 so as to make contact with the right and left shoulders Sof the occupant P. The right and left harness covers 16 are connected toeach other via a strap 41, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Each of the harness covers 16 includes a body portion 42 formed in along pouch shape, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The body portion 42 isformed such that the fabric material 46 cut out into in a substantiallyrectangular shape is folded along a fold line L, and one side portion46A of the fabric material 46 and the other side portion 46B thereof viathe fold line L are, sewn up at sewing portions T1, T2 placed atrespective end portions of the body portion 42 in its longitudinaldirection.

Paired insertion holes 48 are formed in the respective end portions ofthe body portion 42 in the longitudinal direction. The paired insertionholes 48 are formed on the one side portion 46A of the fabric material46, and are each formed in a long hole that is elongated along a widthdirection of the body portion 42. A part (hereinafter referred to as arestraint portion 30B) of the intermediate part of the shoulder harness30 in the longitudinal direction which part is placed between the slot34 and the tang plate 40 is passed through the insertion holes 48.Hereby, the body portion 42 is attached to the shoulder harness 30slidably in its longitudinal direction. In this attachment state, thelongitudinal direction of the body portion 42 coincides with thelongitudinal direction of the shoulder harness 30, and the widthdirection of the body portion 42 coincides with a width direction of theshoulder harness 30.

One end portion (an end portion opposite to the fold line L) of the bodyportion 42 in the width direction is not sewn, and an opening 50 that isopened toward one side of the shoulder harness 30 in the width directionis formed. The opening 50 is formed in an elongated shape with thelongitudinal direction of the body portion 42 being taken as a longerside. On respective sides of the opening 50 in its longitudinaldirection, the one side portion 46A of the fabric material 46 and theother side portion 46B thereof are sewn up at sewing portions T3, T4(see FIG. 5) for inhibiting shoulder-pad falling. Hereby, a lineardimension of the opening 50 is shorter than a linear dimension of thebody portion 42. Note that the sewing portions T3, T4 may be omittedsuch that the sewing portions T1, T2 are extended to areas where thesewing portions T3, T4 are provided.

A door portion 52 is extended from an edge portion of the opening 50 inthe body portion 42. The door portion 52 is constituted by the otherside portion 46B of the fabric material 46. As illustrated in FIG. 4,the door portion 52 is folded toward the body portion 42 so as to coverthe opening 50 and the paired insertion holes 48, and is latched to thebody portion 42 by means of paired snap buttons 54 serving as a doorlatch portion. Each of the snap buttons 54 is constituted by aprojection member 56 fixed to the body portion 42, and a recessed member58 fixed to the door portion 52. When the projection member 56 separablyengages with the recessed member 58, the door portion 52 is latched tothe body portion 42. Note that the door latch portion is not limited tothe above, and is modifiable appropriately. For example, a hook-and-loopfastener and the like can be used as the door latch portion.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a nonslip portion 60 formed in asheet shape is attached to that surface of the body portion 42 whichfaces the shoulder S of the occupant P (that surface of the other sideportion 46B of the fabric material 46 which is opposite to a side facingthe one side portion 46A). The nonslip portion 60 is formed, forexample, of synthetic leather, and is fixed to the body portion 42 bysewing or the like. A coefficient of friction on that surface of thenonslip portion 60 which makes contact with the shoulder S of theoccupant P is set to be higher than a coefficient of surface friction ofthe body portion 42.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the body portion 42 includes a cutoutportion 62 formed in the edge portion of the opening 50 (a portionconstituted by the one side portion 46A) toward a side opposite to aside where the door portion 52 is extended. The cutout portion 62 isformed in a central part of the body portion 42 in its longitudinaldirection, and is cut out in a substantially rectangular shape towardthe fold line L.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the right and left harness covers 16are formed symmetrically. The harness covers 16 are passed through theright and left slots 34 from the back-face side of the seat back 22, andare drawn out to the front-face side of the seat back 22. Hereby, anintermediate part of the strap 41 in its longitudinal direction ishooked on the back-face side of the seat back 22; as illustrated in FIG.2, and the right and left harness covers 16 are connected to the seatback 22. The respective shoulder pads 18 are accommodated inside theright and left harness covers 16.

(Configuration of Shoulder Pad 18)

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the shoulder pad 18 is provided as adifferent member from the harness cover 16. The shoulder pad 18 isconstituted by a hold) member 64 formed of a material (elastomer rubber,herein) having a flexibility, and a plurality of (seven, herein) inserts68 (hard members) formed of a material (resin such as polypropylene,herein) that is harder than the material of the hold member 64.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the hold member 64 is constituted by atabular portion 70 formed in an elongated plate shape, and a pluralityof (seven, herein) hold portions 72 formed on one surface of the tabularportion 70. The hold member 64 is formed in an elongated andsubstantially plate shape as a whole.

The plurality of hold portions 72 is provided side by side at someintervals in a longitudinal direction of the tabular portion 70. Each ofthe hold portions 72 includes paired projecting portions 74 projectingfrom respective end portions of the tabular portion 70 in its widthdirection, and paired displacement inhibition portions 76 for connectingthe paired projecting portions 74 in the width direction of the tabularportion 70. Each of the hold portions 72 is formed in a frame shape,when viewed from a thickness direction of the tabular portion 70.

Each of the projecting portions 74 is formed in an elongated shape alongthe longitudinal direction of the tabular portion 70, and is openedtoward an inner side of the tabular portion 70 in the width direction.Further, a space between the paired the projection portions 74 is set tobe wider than a width dimension of the shoulder harness 30. A projectionheight of the paired displacement inhibition portions 76 from thetabular) portion 70 is set to be lower than that of the pairedprojecting portions 74, and the paired displacement inhibition portions76 are provided over between respective end portions of the pairedprojecting portions 74 in their longitudinal direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a through hole 78 having a substantiallyrectangular shape is formed at that part of the tabular portion 70 whichfaces each of the projecting portions 74. When the hold member 64 ismolded, protrusions provided in a die to form the projecting portions 74are inserted into these through holes 78. This allows the hold member 64to be molded without using a slide mold.

In the meantime, the plurality of inserts 68 is constituted by pairedconnection inserts 68A (hard members for connection) that are held bypaired hold portions 72 placed at respective end portions of the holdmember 64 in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality ofnon-connection inserts 68B (non-connection hard members) respectivelyheld by a plurality of hold portions 72 (five hold portions 72; herein)placed between the paired hold portions 72. The connection inserts 68Aand the non-connection inserts 68B are formed in an elongated shapewhere the width direction of the tabular portion 70 is taken as a longerside, and have a linear dimension that is set to be sufficiently largerthan a width dimension of the shoulder harness 18.

The paired connection inserts 68A are each constituted by an inner guideportion 80 formed in an elongated and substantially prismatic shapewhere the width direction of the tabular portion 70 is taken as a longerside, paired side walls 82 extended in a substantially rib shape fromrespective end portions of the inner guide portion 80 in itslongitudinal direction, paired guide claws 84 (outer guide portions)projecting from the paired side walls 82 into a direction where thepaired guide claws 84 come closer to each other, and paired engageableportions 86 (engaging portion) projecting from surfaces of the pairedside walls 82 which surfaces are opposite to surfaces that face theinner guide portion 80. The inner guide portion 80 and the paired guideclaws 84 constitute a connection portion for slidably connecting theshoulder pad 18 to the shoulder harness 30. The paired guide claws 84(outer guide portions) are separated from each other in a widthdirection of the shoulder harness 30.

The paired engageable portions 86 (respective end portions in thelongitudinal direction) in each of the connection inserts 68A are fittedto respective inner sides of the paired projecting portions 74 of thehold portion 72 that is placed at an end portion of the hold member 64in its longitudinal direction. Further, each of the connection inserts68A fits in between the paired displacement inhibition portions 76, sothat displacement thereof in the longitudinal direction of the tabularportion 70 is regulated. Hereby, each of the connection inserts 68A isheld by its corresponding end portion of the hold member 64 in thelongitudinal direction.

The paired connection inserts 68A are formed to have the same shape. Thepaired guide claws 84 are placed so as to deviate from the inner guideportion 80 in the longitudinal direction of the tabular portion 70,while deviating therefrom in a direction where the paired guide claws 84are separated from the tabular portion 70. Note that the pairedconnection inserts 68A are attached to the hold member 64 in differentorientations. That is, each of the paired connection inserts 68A isattached to the hold member 64 such that its paired guide claws 84 areplaced closer to a center of the tabular portion 70 in the longitudinaldirection relative to its inner guide portion 80.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the inner guide portion 80 of each ofthe connection inserts 68A is provided with a guide surface 80A inclinedor curved (inclined, herein) so that its projection height from thetabular portion 70 is decreased as the guide surface 80A goes toward acenter of the hold member 64 in its longitudinal direction, and theguide surface 80A faces the paired guide claws 84.

In the meantime, the non-connection insert 68B is constituted by amember main body 90 formed in an elongated plate shape, and a ribportion 92 provided on either side of the member main body 90. Thenon-connection insert 68B is configured such that both sides of themember main body 90 have the same configuration, and the non-connectioninsert 68B is formed in an elongated and substantially plate shape as awhole. Note that, in the present embodiment, three longitudinal ribsextending in a longitudinal direction of the member main body 90, andthree lateral ribs extending in a width direction of the member mainbody 90 are connected in a lattice shape (a cross inside) a squareshape), thereby constituting the rib portion 92. However, a shape of therib portion is not limited to this, and is modifiable appropriately.

Each of the plurality of non-connection inserts 68B is configured suchthat respective end portions thereof in its longitudinal direction arefitted to inner sides of the paired projecting portions 74 of itscorresponding hold portion 72. Further, each of the plurality ofnon-connection inserts 68B fits in between the paired displacementinhibition portions 76 of the corresponding hold portion 72, so thatdisplacement of the each of the plurality of non-connection inserts 68Bin the longitudinal direction of the tabular portion 70 is regulated.Hereby, the plurality of non-connection inserts 68B is attached to acentral side of the hold member 64 in its longitudinal direction betweenthe paired connection inserts 68A.

Further Description of the Present Embodiment

The shoulder pad 18 having the above configuration is accommodated inthe body portion 42 of the harness cover 16 and is covered with theharness cover 16. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the shoulder pad 18 in theharness cover 16 is placed so that the longitudinal direction of thehold member 64 (the longitudinal direction of the tabular portion 70)goes along a longitudinal direction of the restraint portion 30B of theshoulder harness 30, and the plurality of inserts 68 is placed at ashoulder-harness-30 side relative to the tabular portion 70.Accordingly, in a state where the occupant P puts on the seat belt 14,the tabular portion 70 of the hold member 64 is placed between theshoulder S of the occupant P and the plurality of inserts 68. Note thatFIG. 3 schematically illustrates the plurality of inserts 68.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 9, the restraint portion 30B of theshoulder harness 30 is passed through between the paired guide claws 84and the inner guide portion 80 in each of the paired connection inserts68A. The paired guide claws 84 face (engage with) a surface of theshoulder harness 30 which surface is opposite to a side facing theoccupant, and the inner guide portion 80 faces (engages with) a surfaceof the shoulder harness 30 which surface faces the occupant. Hereby, theshoulder pad 18 is connected to the shoulder harness 30 slidably in itslongitudinal direction, and displacement of the) shoulder pad 18 in itswidth direction relative to the shoulder harness 30 is regulated. Thatpart of the restraint portion 30B of the shoulder harness 30 which isplaced between the paired connection inserts 68A makes contact with thenon-connection inserts 68B. On that account, when the shoulder pad 18slides over the shoulder harness 30 in the longitudinal direction, therib portions 92 of the non-connection inserts 68B slide over and come incontact with the shoulder harness 30. Further, as described above, thedisplacement of the shoulder pad 18 in the width direction relative tothe shoulder harness 30 is regulated. Thus, the rubber hold member 64 isconfigured so as not to, make contact with the shoulder harness 30.

The shoulder pad 18 is formed slightly smaller in size than the body)portion 42 of the harness cover 16. That is, the shoulder pad 18 isconfigured so as to be accommodated in the body portion 42 without play.Accordingly, the shoulder pad 18 slides integrally with the harnesscover 16 relative to the shoulder harness 30 in the longitudinaldirection.

The paired insertion holes 48 (window portion) of the harness cover 16are each formed at a position that faces the paired guide claws 84 ofeach of the connection inserts 68A. The paired guide claws 84 areexposed outside the body portion 42 via their corresponding insertionhole 48. Further, in the present embodiment, the paired connectioninserts 68A and the plurality of non-connection inserts 68B have a colordifferent from that of the shoulder harness 30. For example, the pairedconnection inserts 68A and the plurality of non-connection insert 68Bare molded from pink resin, while the shoulder harness 30 is formed of ablack fiber.

Further, the opening 50 is formed in the body portion 42 of the harnesscover 16 as previously described, so that the shoulder pad 18 is able tobe put in and out via the opening 50. Note that the linear dimension ofthe opening 50 is set to be shorter than the linear dimension of theshoulder pad 18. When the shoulder pad 18 is put in and out from thebody portion 42, the shoulder pad 18 is bent.

(Attachment of Harness Cover 16 and Shoulder Pad 18)

When the harness cover 16 and the shoulder pad 18 as described above areattached to the shoulder harness 30, the shoulder pad 18 is initiallyinserted in the body portion 42 via the opening 50 of the harness cover16 as shown by an arrow E in FIG. 5. Subsequently, the latching portion30A of the shoulder harness 30 (the other end portion thereof in thelongitudinal direction) is inserted in the body portion 42 from one ofthe insertion holes 48 of the body portion 42 as shown by an arrow F inFIG. 10, and then drawn out from the other one of the insertion holes 48to outside of the body portion 42. At this time, the shoulder harness 30is passed through between the paired guide claws 84 and the inner guideportion 80 in each of the connection inserts 68A (see FIG. 11).Subsequently, the door portion 52 of the harness cover 16 is foldedtoward the body portion 42, and is latched to the body portion 42 bymeans of the paired snap buttons 54.

That latching portion 30A of the shoulder harness 30 which is drawn outto the outside of the body portion 42 is passed through the slot 34 ofthe seat back 22, and is latched to the hanger 36 on the back-face sideof the seat back 22. Hereby, the attachment of the harness cover 16 andthe shoulder pad 18 with respect to the shoulder harness 30 iscompleted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the harness cover 16 includes theopening 50 via which the shoulder pad 18 is put in and out. In view, ofthis, as illustrated in FIG. 12, even in a state (hereinafter referredto as a cover attachment state) where the harness cover 16 is attachedto the shoulder harness 30, it is possible to attach the shoulder pad 18to and remove the shoulder pad 18 from the harness cover 16 and theshoulder harness 30.

For example, in the cover attachment state, in order to remove theshoulder pad 18 from the harness cover 16 and the shoulder harness 30,the door portion 52 of the harness cover 16 is initially opened so as toexpose the opening 50 and the paired insertion holes 48. Subsequently,the restraint portion 30B of the shoulder harness 30 is drawn out frombetween the paired guide claws 84, so as to uncouple the shoulder pad 18from the shoulder harness 30. Then, while the shoulder pad 18 is beingslightly bent, the shoulder pad 18 is taken out from the opening 50 tooutside of the harness cover 16.

In the meantime, in order to attach the shoulder pad 18 into the harnesscover 16 in the cover attachment state, the shoulder pad 18 is insertedinto the harness cover 16 via the opening 50 while the shoulder pad 18is being slightly bent. Then, the restraint portion 30B of the shoulderharness 30 is inserted into between the paired guide claws 84, so as tohook, on the paired guide claws 84, both end portions of the restraintportion 30B in its width direction. Subsequently, the door portion 52 ofthe harness cover 16 is folded toward the body portion 42, and islatched to the body portion 42 by means of the paired snap buttons 54.

(Interactions and Effects)

The following describes interactions and effects of the presentembodiment.

In the present embodiment, the paired insertion holes 48 are formed onrespective end portions of the harness cover 16 in the longitudinaldirection which harness cover 16 is formed in an elongated pouch shape.The shoulder harness 30 is passed through the paired insertion holes 48.Hereby, the harness cover 16 is attached to the shoulder harness 30slidably in the longitudinal direction. The shoulder pad 18 formed in anelongated shape is accommodated inside the harness cover 16. Theshoulder pad 18 is connected to the shoulder harness 30 slidably in thelongitudinal direction at the paired connection portions (the innerguide portion 80 and the paired guide claws 84) provided at respectiveend portions of the shoulder pad 18 in the longitudinal direction.

Thus, the shoulder pad 18 is connected to the shoulder harness 30 at therespective end portions of the shoulder pad 18 in the longitudinaldirection, separately from the harness cover 16. Hereby, regardless ofwhether or not the shoulder pad 18 is integrated with the harness cover16, it is possible to effectively restrain displacement of the shoulderpad 18 in the width direction with respect to the shoulder harness 30.Further, both of the harness cover 16 and the shoulder pad 18 areslidable relative to the shoulder harness 30 in the longitudinaldirection. This makes it possible to easily adjust positions of theharness cover 16 and the shoulder pad 18 relative to the shoulder S ofthe occupant P.

Further, in the present embodiment, the tabular portion 70 of the holdmember 64 is placed between the plurality of inserts 68 and the shoulderS of the occupant P. This makes it possible to inhibit the occupant Pfrom feeling uncomfortable due to rough texture of the plurality ofinserts 68. Besides, the hold member 64 is formed of a material having aflexibility. This allows those parts of the tabular portion 70 which areplaced between the plurality of inserts 68 to function as hinges. Thisaccordingly allows the tabular portion 70 to fit the shoulder S of theoccupant P successfully. As a result, it is possible to improvecomfortability to the occupant P.

Further, at the time of a vehicle crash, it is possible to support aload from the shoulder S of the occupant P successfully by the pluralityof inserts 68 placed between the shoulder harness 30 and the tabularportion 70. This makes it possible to achieve a successful occupantrestraint performance. Further, the plurality of inserts 68 makescontact with the shoulder harness 30. This makes it possible to reduce asliding resistance (frictional resistance) caused when the shoulder pad18 slides over the shoulder harness 30. Further, by modifying thematerial and the shape of the plurality of inserts 68 appropriately, itis possible to easily set and change an energy absorption property.

Further, in the present embodiment, the connection portion of theshoulder pad 18 includes the inner guide portion 80 and the paired guideclaws 84 (an outer guide portion). The inner guide portion 80 faces anoccupant-P-side surface of the shoulder harness 30, and the paired guideclaws 84 face that surface of the shoulder harness 30 which is anopposite side to the occupant P. That is, the shoulder harness 30 isslidably passed through between the inner guide portion 80 and thepaired guide claws 84. This allows the shoulder pad 18 to be connectedto the shoulder harness 30 successfully. Besides, the paired guide claws84 are deviated (offset) toward a center of the tabular portion 70 inthe longitudinal direction relative to the inner guide portion 80. Thismakes it possible to reduce a sliding resistance caused when theshoulder pad 18 slides over the shoulder harness 30.

That is, in a case of another example (a shoulder pad 18′) illustratedin FIG. 13 in which paired guide claws 84 are not deviated (offset)toward a center of a tabular portion 70 in a longitudinal directionrelative to an inner guide portion 80′, a sliding resistance of ashoulder harness 30 between the paired guide claws 84 and the innerguide portion 80′ increases. In contrast, the example of the presentembodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 is able to avoid the above problem.

Further, in the present embodiment, the paired guide claws 84 (the outerguide portion) that face the surface of the shoulder harness 30 whichsurface is an opposite side to the occupant P are separated from eachother in the width direction of the shoulder harness 30. Hereby, whenthe shoulder harness 30 is connected to the connection insert 68A, anintermediate part of the shoulder harness 30 in the longitudinaldirection is able to be inserted between the paired guide claws 84.Accordingly, it is possible to easily perform a connection operation(attachment and removal operations of the shoulder pad 18).

Further, in the present embodiment, the inner guide portion 80 of theshoulder pad 18 is provided with a guide surface 80A inclined or curvedso that its projection height from the tabular portion 70 is decreasedas the guide surface 80A goes toward a center of the hold member 64 inthe longitudinal direction, that is, a side where the paired guide claws84 are deviated. When the guide surface 80A makes slide contact with theshoulder harness 30, it is possible to effectively reduce a slidingresistance of the shoulder pad 18 with respect to the shoulder harness30.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to observe aconnection state of the shoulder harness 30 with respect to theconnection insert 68A of the shoulder pad 18 accommodated in the harnesscover 16, via the insertion hole 48 (a window portion) of the harnesscover 16. This makes it possible to easily check whether or not theshoulder pad 18 is connected to the shoulder harness 30 appropriately.

Besides, the connection insert 68A has a color different from that ofthe shoulder harness 30 to be connected to the connection insert 68A.Hereby, it is possible to easily observe the connection state of theshoulder harness 30 with respect to the connection insert 68A, via theinsertion hole 48 of the harness cover 16.

Further, the insertion hole 48, in the harness cover 16, through whichthe shoulder harness 30 is passed is provided as the window portion viawhich the connection) state of the shoulder harness 30 with respect tothe connection insert 68A is observed. Thus, since the insertion hole 48doubles as the window portion, it is possible to simplify theconfiguration of the harness cover 16.

(Supplementary Description of Embodiment)

In the above embodiment, the paired insertion holes 48 of the harnesscover 16 are each configured as the window portion via which theconnection state of the shoulder harness 30 with respect to the innerguide portion 80 and the paired guide claws 84 of the connection insert68A is observed. The invention is not limited to this, and may beconfigured such that a window portion other than the paired insertionholes is provided in the harness cover. Further, such a window portionmay be omitted.

Further, in the above embodiment, the connection insert 68A providedwith the inner guide portion 80 and the paired guide claws 84 (theconnection portion) is set to a color different from that of theshoulder harness 30. The invention is not limited to this, and may beconfigured such that the connection portion and the shoulder harness areset to the same color.

Further, in the above embodiment, the guide surface 80A is provided inthe inner guide portion 80. The invention is not limited to this, andmay be configured such that the inner guide portion does not include theguide surface.

Further, in the present embodiment, the paired guide claws 84 separatedfrom each other in the width direction of the shoulder harness 30 areconfigured as the outer guide portion. The invention is not limited tothis, and may be configured such that the outer guide portion is notseparated in the width direction of the shoulder harness.

Further, in the above embodiment, the paired guide claws 84 (the outerguide portion) are deviated, toward the center of the tabular portion 70in the longitudinal direction relative to the inner guide portion 80.The invention is not limited to this, and may be configured asillustrated in FIG. 13.

Further, the above embodiment describes a case where the connectionportion of the shoulder pad 18 is constituted by the inner guide portion80 and the paired guide claws 84. The invention is not limited to this.Any connection portion is usable provided that the connection portionslidably connects the shoulder pad to the shoulder harness 30, and itsconfiguration is modifiable appropriately.

Further, in the above embodiment, the shoulder pad 18 is configured toinclude the rubber hold member 64, and the plurality of resin inserts 68(hard members) attached to the hold member 64. The invention is notlimited to this, and the configuration of the shoulder pad is modifiableappropriately. For example, the shoulder pad may be entirely formed ofrubber.

In addition, the invention can be performed with various modificationswithout departing from a gist of the invention. Further, it is needlessto say that a scope of the invention is not limited to the aboveembodiment.

1. A vehicle child safety seat comprising: a seat main body on which anoccupant sits; a seat belt for restraining the occupant to the seat mainbody, the seat belt including a shoulder harness having a long beltshape and facing a shoulder of the occupant; a harness cover formed inan elongated pouch shape and slidably attached to the shoulder harnessin a longitudinal direction such that the shoulder harness is passedthrough paired insertion holes formed on respective end portions of theharness cover in the longitudinal direction; and a shoulder pad formedin an elongated shape, accommodated in the harness cover, placed betweenthe shoulder of the occupant and the shoulder harness along thelongitudinal direction of the shoulder harness, and including pairedconnection portions provided on respective end portions of the shoulderpad in the longitudinal direction so as to connected to the shoulderharness slidably in the longitudinal direction.
 2. The vehicle childsafety seat according to claim 1, wherein: the shoulder pad includes: ahold member formed of a material having a flexibility, and including atabular portion formed in an elongated plate shape and a plurality ofhold portions provided on a shoulder-harness-side surface of the tabularportion so as to be placed side by side at intervals therebetween in alongitudinal direction of the tabular portion; and a plurality of hard,members each formed of a material that is harder than the hold member,the plurality of hard members being respectively held by the pluralityof hold portions, and the connection portions are provided respectivelyin paired hard members placed on respective end portions of the tabularportion in the longitudinal direction.
 3. The vehicle child safety seataccording to claim 2, wherein: each of the connection portions includesan inner guide portion facing an occupant-side surface of the shoulderharness, and an outer guide portion facing that surface of the shoulderharness which is an opposite side to the occupant; and the outer guideportion is deviated toward a center of the tabular portion in thelongitudinal direction relative to the inner guide portion.
 4. Thevehicle child safety seat according to claim 3, wherein: the outer guideportion is constituted by paired guide claws separated from each otherin a width direction of the shoulder harness.
 5. The vehicle childsafety seat according to claim 3, wherein: the inner guide portion isprovided with a guide surface inclined or curved so that its projectionheight from the tabular portion is decreased as the guide surface goestoward a center of the hold member in the longitudinal direction.
 6. Thevehicle child safety seat according to claim 1, wherein: the harnesscover is provided with window portions via which connection states ofthe shoulder harness with respect to the connection portions areobserved.
 7. The vehicle child safety seat according to claim 6,wherein: the connection portions have a color different from that of theshoulder harness.
 8. The vehicle child safety seat according to claim 6,wherein: the window portions are the insertion holes.
 9. The vehiclechild safety seat according to claim 3, wherein: the inner guide portionhas paired side walls extended in a rib shape from respective endportions of the inner guide portion.
 10. The vehicle child safety seataccording to claim 9, wherein: each of the side walls includes anengaging portion to be fitted to its corresponding hold portion, theengaging portion being projecting from that surface of the each of theside walls which is an opposite side to the inner guide portion.
 11. Thevehicle child safety seat according to claim 3, wherein: a distancebetween the tabular portion and a contact face, to the shoulder harness,of a hard member placed between the paired hard members respectivelyprovided with the connection portions is larger than a distance betweenthe tabular portion and a contact face of the outer guide portion to theshoulder harness.
 12. The vehicle child safety seat according to claim4, wherein: the harness cover is provided with window portions via whichconnection states of the shoulder harness with respect to the connectionportions are observed, and each of the window portions is formed at aposition faced its corresponding paired guide claws.
 13. The vehiclechild safety seat according to claim 12, wherein: each of the windowportions is formed at a position faced a position where itscorresponding paired guide claws are separated from each other.